Howie Hart wrote:No wonder I'm confused. It's a mushroom? I thought it was a Lake Erie fish, also know as the freshwater drum, especially since your friend gave you a good size one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freshwater_drum

Sounds like they are not particularly good to eat. I'll stick with the fungus.

Hen of the Woods, you mean! A wonderful mushroom. Spritz it with a little EVOO, sprinkle it with a bit of salt and pepper, and roast it in the oven till it is crisp at the edges and tender in the middle.

Break off small chunks and wrap in ravioli skins. Simmer gently and serve al brodo, possible with a few shreds of scallion.

Break off large chunks, saute fast and hot, and heap over steak or pasta carbonara or grilled corn (off the cob).

It has been a few years but I recall the larger sheepshead had lovely flacky white meat. When I lived in La Crosse WI in the early 90s the commercial fisherman would set their nets in the Mississippi right in town and pull out thousands of pounds of drum. These were sold and sent to Chicago. I now see them in the Asian grocery stores here in St Paul.

I love the life I live and live the life I love*, and as Mark Twain said, " Always do well it will gratify the few and astonish the rest".